Seven running for three South Lake Tahoe City Council seats

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Seven candidates are vying for three open seats on the South Lake Tahoe City Council in municipal elections this November.

The candidates have all been certified to the ballot, with the filing window closing last Friday.

Candidates running for three of the five seats on the South Lake Tahoe City Council include incumbents Brooke Laine, Tom Davis and Angela Swanson, all of whom are running for reelection, as well as four challengers: Wendy David, Bruce Grego, Matt Palacio and Austin Sass.

Wendy David, a 17-year school board member for Lake Tahoe Unified School District, was the first candidate to be certified to appear on the ballot. She said she wants to be “part of a great direction” the city is moving in.

A former member of the City Council, Bruce Grego, a local attorney, said he’s the type of independent thinker needed on the council.

Austin Sass ran for the City Council in 2012 and was not elected. He said he wants to bring aboard his background in sales, marketing and recreation.

“I understand the business side of the recreation industry and with gaming taking a big downturn, the general consensus from people who live here and government is we need better facilities, access and connectivity. I think council would do well to have someone understanding that on it,” Sass said.

Matt Palacio said he wants to be part of South Lake Tahoe’s next generation of leaders. Senior sales manager at Sierra-at-Tahoe, this is Palacio’s first run for public office.

“I have no grudges, no agenda, I’m just trying to bring people together to move forward. I really want to focus on a healthier environment, a vibrant economy and improved recreation,” Palacio said.

City Clerk Susan Alessi and City Treasurer David Olivo also are running for reelection to their positions in November. Neither are facing challengers.

South Lake Tahoe’s municipal election is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Voters on the South Shore also will elect a new District 5 El Dorado County supervisor to replace departing supervisor Norma Santiago, who cannot run for reelection because of term limits. Two candidates from Meyers emerged as the top vote-getters in a six-way June primary and are in the running for that job: Kenny Curtzwiler and Sue Novasel.